Chapter 3

Maisy entered in the bedroom she shared with Lizzie and Mary carrying a tray. "I suggested that you should have bread after water but Ma decided on beef stew and milk."

Lizzie was lying on her bed, already in her nightgown, staring at the ceiling. "Very funny," she grumbled.

Maisy set the trade down on the table beside her sisters bed then plunked herself down on Lizzie mattress. "Where did you really go?

"Like I said, I went to Mr. Guthrie's store," she answered, her eyes still fixed on the ceiling.

"Come on, Lizzie. I know you already finished that embroidery sampler. Tell me where you went. I'm not Mary, I won't squeal on you."

Lizzie turned to face Maisy. "You promise you won't tell?" she asked.

"I promise."

With a sudden burst of energy Lizzie sat up on the bed. "I was at Miss Finny's store," she whispered.

"Doing what?"

"Getting measured for a dress."

"What for?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "To wear, you idiot!"

"Hey! I was just asking. You don't have to call me names!" Maisy snapped then jumped off the bed.

Lizzie caught her sister's arm and pulled her back on to the mattress. "Oh calm down! I'm sorry, alright?"

"Fine!" Maisy grumbled.

The two girls sat in silence for a few moments before Maisy gave a low whistle. "Miss Finny's shop. I can't believe you went there."

"You seemed shocked," Lizzie stated curtly.

"Shocked? No. Impressed? Definitely!"

"Impressed? Why?"

"It takes real gumption to go into a place Ma has forbidden us to go."

"I don't see why Ma has to be so high and mighty about it. After all, that's where she gets all of her dresses."

"It's cuz Miss Finny was a saloon whore," Maisy said bluntly.

"Margaret Jane!"

"Well, it's true and don't pretend you don't know it too!"

"Whatever Miss Finny's past is needs to stay in the past."

"I agree, but I wouldn't say that to Ma if'n I were you," Maisy warned.

"Well maybe I will!" Lizzie declared as she rose from her bed, walked over to the wash basin and began to examine her long, curly, auburn hair in the mirror. "I think Ma and Pa need to realize people can change for the better. It's about time they get off of their blasted high horses!"

An expression of pure shock appeared on Maisy's face. "Are you out of your mind!? Look, Lizzie, I know I complain about you being so bossy, but sometimes I really like having an older sister. You say what you're planning on saying it'll just be me and Mary sharing this room."

Lizzie's shoulders slumped a little. She took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "Don't worry, Maisy, I don't have that much gumption." She began to fiddle with her hair as she leaned against the wall. "I'm just frustrated, is all. I want them to treat me as the woman I am, not the naughty child they perceive me to be."

Feeling the tension building in the room, Maisy decided to change the subject. "So what kind of dress do you want?"

Lizzie's demeanor instantly perked up. "Have you seen Miss Finny's new spring window display?"

"Yeah."

"It's the lavender one."

"That one is gorgeous!" Maisy exclaimed.

"I know! It would definitely enhance my lovely complexion and do wonders for my figure," Lizzie glowed.

"So how do you figure on getting it?"

"I've been hinting for ages that I want a new outfit for my birthday. I just need to hint more specifically now, especially in regards to colour."

"Do you want me to tell Ma what you want?"

"No, thank you, I think I need to be more subtle than that."

"Why don't you tell Mary?" Maisy suggested.

"Why in heaven's name would I do something like that? You know she can't keep a secret to save her life."

"Exactly!"

"Maisy, you're not making any sense."

"Ah, but I'm making perfect sense. Everyone knows Mary's the biggest tattle-tale in Virginia City. If you confide in her or if she accidentally overhears you talking about the dress you know she'll tell Ma."

"Maisy, you're brilliant!" Lizzie squealed with delight.

"So I've been told," Maisy said with a self-satisfied air about her.

"When should I do it?" Lizzie inquired.

"Do what?" a voice cut in.

Both girls, startled, turned to find their father leaning against the door frame of their bedroom, his arms folded across his chest. Lizzie's heart rate began to race but her younger sister didn't even miss a beat. "Rag my hair, Pa."

Adam raised his left eyebrow as he slowly entered the room. "And what exactly does 'rag my hair' mean, Margaret Jane?"

"You know, Pa, when you tie your hair up in pieces of rag cloth so it's curly in the morning," Maisy explained.

Adam was no fool. He had come to learn that when Maisy answered a question so quickly there was usually something more to what she was letting on. Normally he would have done a thorough investigation in order to uncover the lies that came out of her mouth, but he was tired and didn't feel like dealing with female drama at the moment. Maisy should consider herself a very fortunate girl this evening. "That won't be happening tonight, Margaret Jane. Get yourself downstairs for supper."

"Yessir," Maisy replied quietly then scampered out of the room, giving Lizzie an apologetic look before leaving.

Adam came closer to his eldest daughter and again folded his arms over his chest. "Elizabeth, you are on very thin ice with your mother and me right now – a fact you are well aware of, are you not?"

"Yes, sir I am aware."

"Then you would be wise to eat your supper and go to bed without further delay."

"Yes sir," she mumbled.

Adam gave a slight nod of his head then turned and left the room, closing the door a little to firmly behind him.

Lizzie looked at the plate of roasted root vegetables and ham which Maisy had brought up for her. She picked up the glass of milk that was on the tray with the meal and took a small sip. Having suddenly lost her appetite she placed the glass back on the tray then pushed it away from herself. She lay down on her bed, rolling away from her supper. Lizzie had just made things worse, much worse. If she didn't act the way her parents wished from now on her dreams of new dresses, parties and becoming the future Mrs. Wyatt Fuller would disintegrate before her very eyes.

"I need to be as good as gold," Lizzie told herself softly, "or I'll never get what I want."

Tears began to roll down her face and on to her pillow. The next couple of weeks were not going to be enjoyable, to say the least. She better get what she wanted after kowtowing to the demands of the great and powerful Cartwrights. If not there was going to be hell to pay.

* To be continued…

* Sorry for the long delay. I'm trying my best to update sooner. Thanks for all the comments and continued support with the stories!